Input/output (i/o) design of a printhead allowing for daisy-chaining

ABSTRACT

Printheads for a jetting apparatus. In one embodiment, a printhead comprises a plurality of jetting channels having nozzles on a bottom surface configured to jet a print fluid, and longitudinal sides disposed between the bottom surface and a top surface. The printhead also comprises Input/Output (I/O) ports disposed on one or more of the longitudinal sides, and configured to convey the print fluid into or out of the printhead. The printhead further includes one or more chain manifolds disposed between the I/O ports.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The following disclosure relates to the field of image formation, and inparticular, to printheads and the use of printheads.

BACKGROUND

Image formation is a procedure whereby a digital image is recreated on amedium by propelling droplets of ink or another type of print fluid ontoa medium, such as paper, plastic, a substrate for 3D printing, etc.Image formation is commonly employed in apparatuses, such as printers(e.g., inkjet printer), facsimile machines, copying machines, plottingmachines, multifunction peripherals, etc. The core of a typical jettingapparatus or image forming apparatus is one or more liquid-dropletejection heads (referred to generally herein as “printheads”) havingnozzles that discharge liquid droplets, a mechanism for moving theprinthead and/or the medium in relation to one another, and a controllerthat controls how liquid is discharged from the individual nozzles ofthe printhead onto the medium in the form of pixels.

A typical printhead includes a plurality of nozzles aligned in one ormore rows along a discharge surface of the printhead. Each nozzle ispart of a “jetting channel”, which includes the nozzle, a pressurechamber, and a diaphragm that is driven by an actuator, such as apiezoelectric actuator. A printhead also includes a drive circuit thatcontrols when each individual jetting channel fires based on image data.To jet from a jetting channel, the drive circuit provides a jettingpulse to the actuator, which causes the actuator to deform a wall of thepressure chamber via the diaphragm. The deformation of the pressurechamber creates pressure waves within the pressure chamber that eject adroplet of print fluid (e.g., ink) out of the nozzle.

Opposite the discharge surface of the printhead is the Input/Output(I/O) surface, where a print fluid is supplied to the printhead, orconveyed out of the printhead (such as with a flow-through head). TheI/O surface includes I/O ports that typically connected to a reservoiror the like via a hose. Unfortunately, it may be cumbersome to connectthe printheads to the reservoirs with the present I/O design.

SUMMARY

Embodiments described herein comprise a printhead having one or more I/Oports situated on one side or both sides. The printhead also has one ormore manifolds that fluidly couple the I/O ports on one side of theprinthead, or fluidly couple the I/O ports on opposing sides of theprinthead. Based on the configuration of the I/O ports and manifolds,printheads may be daisy-chained together so that a print fluid flowsfrom one printhead to another in a supply chain. Thus, it is notnecessary to run a hose to each individual printhead, making set up andoperation more efficient.

One embodiment comprises a printhead that includes a plurality ofjetting channels having nozzles on a bottom surface configured to jet aprint fluid, and longitudinal sides disposed between the bottom surfaceand a top surface. The printhead further includes I/O ports disposed onone or more of the longitudinal sides, and configured to convey theprint fluid into or out of the printhead. The printhead further includesone or more chain manifolds disposed between the I/O ports.

In another embodiment, the I/O ports comprise a first I/O port and asecond I/O port disposed on a first one of the longitudinal sides.

In another embodiment, the printhead further includes one or more supplymanifolds disposed longitudinally, and configured to fluidly couple thefirst I/O port and the second I/O port to the jetting channels.

In another embodiment, a first one of the supply manifolds and the chainmanifold(s) are defined by a common duct within the printhead.

In another embodiment, the I/O ports further comprise a third I/O portand a fourth I/O port disposed on a second one of the longitudinal sidesopposite the first one of the longitudinal sides. A first chain manifoldof the chain manifold(s) fluidly couples the first I/O port on the firstone of the longitudinal sides to the third I/O port on the second one ofthe longitudinal sides. A second chain manifold of the chain manifold(s)fluidly couples the second I/O port on the first one of the longitudinalsides to the fourth I/O port on the second one of the longitudinalsides.

In another embodiment, the first I/O port is staggered in relation tothe third I/O port, and the first chain manifold is disposed at an angleacross a width of the printhead between the first I/O port and the thirdI/O port. The second I/O port is staggered in relation to the fourth I/Oport, and the second chain manifold is disposed at an angle across thewidth of the printhead between the second I/O port and the fourth I/Oport.

In another embodiment, one or more of the I/O ports includes an O-ring.

In another embodiment, one or more of the I/O ports includes a hosecoupling.

Another embodiment comprises a jetting apparatus that includes amounting bracket configured to mount multiple ones of the printhead in adaisy chain.

Another embodiment comprises a jetting apparatus that includes aplurality of printheads installed perpendicular to a direction ofrelative movement between the printheads and a medium. Each printhead ofthe plurality comprises a plurality of jetting channels having nozzlesconfigured to jet a print fluid, I/O ports disposed on a longitudinalside of the printhead, and a chain manifold disposed between the I/Oports. The printheads are installed as a daisy-chain via the I/O portsand the chain manifold so that the print fluid flows from one of theprintheads to another of the printheads.

In another embodiment, the printheads are installed with an outlet I/Oport of one of the printheads aligned with an inlet I/O port of anotherof the printheads.

In another embodiment, the jetting apparatus further comprises an O-ringconfigured to seal a connection between the outlet I/O port and theinlet I/O port.

In another embodiment, the printheads at ends of the daisy-chain areconnected to a reservoir via a hose.

In another embodiment, the printhead further comprises one or moresupply manifolds disposed longitudinally, and configured to fluidlycouple the I/O ports to the jetting channels. A first one of the supplymanifolds and the chain manifold are defined by a common duct.

Another embodiment comprises a jetting apparatus that includes aplurality of printheads. Each printhead of the plurality comprises aplurality of jetting channels having nozzles configured to jet a printfluid, I/O ports that comprise a first I/O port and a second I/O portdisposed on a first longitudinal side of the printhead, and a third I/Oport and a fourth I/O port disposed on a second longitudinal side of theprinthead opposite the first longitudinal side, a first chain manifolddisposed between the first I/O port on the first longitudinal side andthe third I/O port on the second longitudinal side, and a second chainmanifold disposed between the second I/O port on the first longitudinalside and the fourth I/O port on the second longitudinal side. Theprintheads are installed as a daisy-chain via the I/O ports, the firstchain manifold, and the second chain manifold so that the print fluidflows from one of the printheads to another of the printheads

In another embodiment, the printheads are installed with an outlet I/Oport of one of the printheads aligned with an inlet I/O port of anotherof the printheads.

In another embodiment, the jetting apparatus further comprises an O-ringconfigured to seal a connection between the outlet I/O port and theinlet I/O port.

In another embodiment, the printheads at ends of the daisy-chain areconnected to a reservoir via a hose.

In another embodiment, the printheads are installed at an angle to adirection of relative movement between the printheads and a medium.

In another embodiment, the first I/O port is staggered in relation tothe third I/O port, and the first chain manifold is disposed at an angleacross a width of the printhead between the first I/O port and the thirdI/O port. The second I/O port is staggered in relation to the fourth I/Oport, and the second chain manifold is disposed at an angle across thewidth of the printhead between the second I/O port and the fourth I/Oport.

In another embodiment, the printheads are installed parallel to adirection of relative movement between the printheads and a medium.

In another embodiment, the first I/O port is transversely aligned withthe third I/O port, and the first chain manifold is disposedtransversely across a width of the printhead between the first I/O portand the third I/O port. The second I/O port is transversely aligned withthe fourth I/O port, and the second chain manifold is disposedtransversely across the width of the printhead between the second I/Oport and the fourth I/O port.

In another embodiment, the printhead further comprises one or moresupply manifolds disposed longitudinally, and configured to fluidlycouple the I/O ports to the jetting channels. The supply manifolds arefluidly coupled at one end to the first chain manifold, and fluidlycoupled at the other end to the second chain manifold.

The above summary provides a basic understanding of some aspects of thespecification. This summary is not an extensive overview of thespecification. It is intended to neither identify key or criticalelements of the specification nor delineate any scope particularembodiments of the specification, or any scope of the claims. Its solepurpose is to present some concepts of the specification in a simplifiedform as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presentedlater.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the present disclosure are now described, by way ofexample only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings. The samereference number represents the same element or the same type of elementon all drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a jetting apparatus in an illustrativeembodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a conventional printhead.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a conventional printhead.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a printhead in an illustrativeembodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a printhead in an illustrativeembodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates multiple printheads mounted in a jetting apparatus inan illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 7 is another perspective view of a printhead in an illustrativeembodiment.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a printhead in another illustrativeembodiment.

FIG. 9 illustrates multiple printheads mounted in a jetting apparatus inan illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a printhead in another illustrativeembodiment.

FIG. 11 illustrates multiple printheads mounted in a jetting apparatusin an illustrative embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The figures and the following description illustrate specific exemplaryembodiments. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the artwill be able to devise various arrangements that, although notexplicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of theembodiments and are included within the scope of the embodiments.Furthermore, any examples described herein are intended to aid inunderstanding the principles of the embodiments, and are to be construedas being without limitation to such specifically recited examples andconditions. As a result, the inventive concept(s) is not limited to thespecific embodiments or examples described below, but by the claims andtheir equivalents.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a jetting apparatus 100 in anillustrative embodiment. One example of jetting apparatus 100 is aninkjet printer that performs single-pass or multi-pass printing. Jettingapparatus 100 includes a mounting bracket 102 that supports one or moreprintheads 104 above a medium 112. Mounting bracket 102 may be disposedon a carriage assembly that reciprocates back and forth along a scanline or scan directions for multi-pass printing. Alternatively, mountingbracket 102 may be fixed within jetting apparatus 100 for single-passprinting. Printheads 104 are a device, apparatus, or componentconfigured to eject droplets 106 of a print fluid, such as ink (e.g.,water, solvent, oil, or UV-curable), through a plurality of orifices ornozzles (not visible in FIG. 1). The droplets 106 ejected from thenozzles of printheads 104 are directed toward medium 112. Medium 112comprises any type of material upon which ink or another print fluid isapplied by a printhead, such as paper, plastic, card stock, transparentsheets, a substrate for 3D printing, cloth, etc. Typically, nozzles ofprintheads 104 are arranged in one or more rows so that ejection ofprint fluid from the nozzles causes formation of characters, symbols,images, layers of an object, etc., on medium 112 as printhead 104 and/ormedium 112 are moved relative to one another. Media transport mechanism114 is configured to move medium 112 relative to printheads 104. Jettingapparatus 100 also includes a jetting apparatus controller 122 thatcontrols the overall operation of jetting apparatus 100. Jettingapparatus controller 122 may connect to a data source to receive imagedata, and control each printhead 104 to discharge the print fluid on adesired pixel grid on medium 112. Jetting apparatus 100 also includesone or more reservoirs 124 for a print fluid. Although not shown in FIG.1, reservoirs 124 may be connected to one or more of printheads 104 viahoses or the like.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a conventional printhead 200 for ajetting apparatus. Printhead 200 includes a head member 202 andelectronics 204. Head member 202 is an elongated component that formsthe jetting channels of printhead 200. A typical jetting channelincludes a nozzle, a pressure chamber, and a diaphragm that is driven byan actuator, such as a piezoelectric actuator. Electronics 204 controlhow the nozzles of printhead 200 jet droplets in response to controlsignals. Although not visible in FIG. 2, electronics 204 may include aplurality of actuators (e.g., piezoelectric actuators) that contact thediaphragms of the jetting channels. Electronics 204 also include cabling206, such as a ribbon cable, that connects to a controller (e.g.,jetting apparatus controller 122) to receive the control signals.Printhead 200 also includes attachment members 208, which are configuredto secure printhead 200 to a jetting apparatus, such as to mountingbracket 102 as illustrated in FIG. 1. Attachment members 208 may includeone or more holes 209 so that printhead 200 may be mounted within ajetting apparatus by screws, bolts, pins, etc.

The bottom surface 220 of head member 202 includes the nozzles of thejetting channels, and represents the discharge surface of printhead 200.The top surface 222 of head member 202 represents the I/O portion forreceiving print fluids into printhead 200 and/or conveying print fluids(e.g., fluids that are not jetted) out of printhead 200. Top surface222, which is also referred to as the I/O surface, includes a pluralityof I/O ports 211-212. Top surface 222 has two ends 226-227 that areseparated by electronics 204. I/O port 211 is disposed toward end 226,and I/O port 212 is disposed toward end 227.

Head member 202 includes a housing 230 and a plate stack 232. Housing230 is a rigid member made from stainless steel or another type ofmaterial. Housing 230 includes an access hole 234 that provides apassageway for electronics 204 to pass through housing 230 so thatactuators may interface with diaphragms of the jetting channels. Platestack 232 attaches to an interface surface (not visible) of housing 230.Plate stack 232 (also referred to as a laminate plate stack) is a seriesof plates that are fixed or bonded to one another to form a laminatedstack. Plate stack 232 may include the following plates: one or morenozzle plates, one or more chamber plates, one or more restrictorplates, and a diaphragm plate. A nozzle plate includes a plurality ofnozzles that are arranged in one or more rows (e.g., two rows, fourrows, etc.). A chamber plate includes a plurality of openings that formthe pressure chambers of the jetting channels. A restrictor plateincludes a plurality of restrictors that fluidly connect the pressurechambers of the jetting channels with a supply manifold. A diaphragmplate is a sheet of a semi-flexible material that vibrates in responseto actuation by an actuator (e.g., piezoelectric actuator).

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of printhead 200. The jetting channels 300of printhead 200 are schematically illustrated in FIG. 3 as nozzles intwo nozzle rows. Printhead 200 includes supply manifolds 311-312 thatare disposed longitudinally. A supply manifold is a groove, duct,conduit, etc., within head member 202 that is configured to convey orsupply a print fluid to jetting channels. Supply manifold 311 is fluidlycoupled between I/O ports 211-212, and is also fluidly coupled to asubset of the jetting channels 300 indicated by nozzles 302 via fluidpath 304. Supply manifold 312 is fluidly coupled between I/O ports211-212, and is also fluidly coupled to a subset of the jetting channels300 indicated by nozzles 302 via fluid path 304. Fluid paths 304 areprovided in the form of a restrictor, which is a passageway that fluidlycouples a supply manifold to a pressure chamber and prevents a backflowof print fluid.

Although this design of printhead 200 is effective for its intendedpurpose, operators may want flexibility in how multiple printheads areconnected within a jetting apparatus. In the embodiments describedbelow, the I/O portion is disposed on the side(s) of the printhead, anda manifold(s) (referred to herein as a chain manifold) is disposedthrough the printhead so that a print fluid may flow through theprinthead between I/O ports to act as a supply for another printhead.With this design, multiple printheads may be daisy-chained togetherwithin a jetting apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a printhead 400 in an illustrativeembodiment. Printhead 400 may be an example of a printhead 104 asinstalled in jetting apparatus 100. As above for printhead 200,printhead 400 includes a head member 402 and electronics 404. Headmember 402 is an elongated component that forms the jetting channels ofprinthead 400. Printhead 400 includes attachment members 408 that areconfigured to secure printhead 400 to a jetting apparatus, such as tomounting bracket 102 as illustrated in FIG. 1. Attachment members 408may include one or more holes 409 so that printhead 400 may be mountedwithin a jetting apparatus by screws, bolts, pins, etc. The bottomsurface 420 of head member 402 includes the nozzles of the jettingchannels, and represents the discharge surface of printhead 400. The topsurface 422 of head member 402 is opposite the discharge surface.

Printhead 400 has longitudinal sides 424-425 disposed between bottomsurface 420 and top surface 422. One or both of longitudinal sides424-425 represents the I/O portion for receiving print fluids intoprinthead 400 and/or conveying print fluids (e.g., fluids that are notjetted) out of printhead 400. Longitudinal side 424 includes one or moreI/O ports 411-412. I/O ports 411-412 are spaced by a distance (e.g., adistance more than the length of the jetting channels) so that I/O port411 is disposed on longitudinal side 424 toward end 426, while I/O port412 is disposed on longitudinal side 424 toward end 427. An I/O port411-412 comprises an opening in head member 402 that acts as an entrypoint for a print fluid, and/or an exit point for a print fluid. I/Oports 411-412 may include a hose coupling, hose barb, etc., for couplingwith a supply hose of a reservoir, a cartridge, or the like. I/O ports411-412 may include an O-ring 441-442, a gasket, a seal, or the like,for coupling with another I/O port of another printhead.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of printhead 400 in an illustrativeembodiment. The jetting channels 500 of printhead 400 are schematicallyillustrated in FIG. 5 as nozzles in two nozzle rows, although thenozzles may be arranged in more or less nozzle rows in otherembodiments. Printhead 400 includes one or more supply manifolds 511-512that are disposed longitudinally within printhead 400. As stated above,a supply manifold is a groove, duct, conduit, etc., configured to conveyor supply a print fluid to jetting channels. In this embodiment, supplymanifold 511 is fluidly coupled to a subset of the jetting channels 500(or each of the jetting channels 500 in the case of a flow-throughprinthead) indicated by nozzles 502 via fluid path 504. Supply manifold512 is fluidly coupled to a subset of the jetting channels 500 (or eachof the jetting channels 500 in the case of a flow-through printhead)indicated by nozzles 502 via fluid path 504. Fluid paths 504 areprovided in the form of restrictors, which are passageways that fluidlycouple a supply manifold to a pressure chamber and prevents a backflowof print fluid. Although two supply manifolds are illustrated, there maybe a single supply manifold (e.g., such as in the case of a single rowof jetting channels), or more than two supply manifolds.

In this embodiment, printhead 400 includes a pair of I/O ports 411-412on longitudinal side 424. Supply manifold 511 fluidly couples I/O ports411-412, and may further define a chain manifold 513 within printhead400. A chain manifold 513 comprises a groove, duct, conduit, etc.,configured to convey a print fluid through a printhead for transfer toanother printhead. A purpose of a chain manifold is to provide apassageway for a print fluid through a printhead so that multipleprintheads may be daisy-chained together. Thus, the size, design, etc.,of a chain manifold may be different than a supply manifold, which isused to supply a print fluid to jetting channels. For example, a chainmanifold 513 may be larger in size or have a lower flow resistance thana regular supply manifold 512. Supply manifold 511/chain manifold 513may comprise a duct formed within head member 402, and supply manifold512 may also comprise a duct formed within head member 402. In thisembodiment, the duct common for supply manifold 511/chain manifold 513may be larger than the duct for supply manifold 512 so that the commonduct acts as both a supply manifold and a chain manifold. Supplymanifold 511/chain manifold 513 fluidly couples I/O port 411 onlongitudinal side 424 with I/O port 412 on the same side. With thisconfiguration, printhead 400 may be installed in a jetting apparatusperpendicular to the direction of relative movement between printhead400 and the medium.

FIG. 6 illustrates multiple printheads 400 mounted in a jettingapparatus 100 in an illustrative embodiment. Printheads 400 areinstalled perpendicular to the direction of relative movement betweenprintheads 400 and the medium. Printheads 400 are installed as adaisy-chain 600 so that a print fluid flows from one printhead toanother. I/O ports 411-412 may act as an “inlet” I/O port that receivesa flow of print fluid, or an “outlet” I/O port that conveys a flow ofprint fluid out of a printhead depending on where a printhead 400 isinstalled in the chain. For example, the “inlet” I/O port 412 on theleft-most printhead 400 (i.e., the first printhead) is connected to asupply hose 611, which is in turn connected to a reservoir or the like.The “outlet” I/O port 411 on the left-most printhead 400 is fluidlycoupled to the “inlet” I/O port 411 on the next printhead 400 (i.e., thesecond printhead) in the chain. I/O port 412 on the second printhead 400is fluidly coupled to I/O port 412 on the next printhead 400 (i.e.,third printhead) in the chain. On the last printhead 400 (i.e., thefifth printhead) in the chain, I/O port 411 is fluidly coupled to areturn hose 612 (or another supply hose), which is in turn connected toa reservoir or the like. Printheads 400 may be mounted in jettingapparatus 100 so that the “inlet” I/O port on one printhead 400 isaligned with the “outlet” I/O port on another printhead 400. An O-ring,gasket, seal, or the like may be used to seal the connection between an“inlet” I/O port and an “outlet” I/O port.

As is evident in FIG. 6, the ends of daisy-chain 600 (e.g., the leftmostand rightmost printheads 400) are connected to one or more reservoirsvia hoses 611-612. The printheads 400 are linked together via I/O portsand chain manifold 513 to form an integrated chain manifold 620. Forexample, a print fluid may flow from supply hose 611, into the leftmostprinthead 400, and along integrated chain manifold 620 until exiting thechain at the rightmost printhead 400 through hose 612. Thus, theinterior printheads 400 do not need to be directly connected to areservoir via a hose, and print fluid may be supplied to theseprintheads 400 through integrated chain manifold 620. This makes theprintheads 400 easier to install in jetting apparatus 100, and easier tomaintain.

FIG. 7 is another perspective view of a printhead 400 in an illustrativeembodiment. In this embodiment, longitudinal side 425 of printhead 400includes one or more I/O ports 713-714. I/O ports 713-714 are spaced bya distance (e.g., a distance more than the length of the jettingchannels) so that I/O port 713 is disposed on longitudinal side 425toward end 426, while I/O port 714 is disposed on longitudinal side 425toward end 427. As above, I/O ports 713-714 may include a hose coupling716, hose barb, etc., for coupling with a supply hose of a reservoir, acartridge, or the like. I/O ports 713-714 may include an O-ring 743, agasket, a seal, or the like, for coupling with another I/O port ofanother printhead.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a printhead 400 in another illustrativeembodiment. The jetting channels 500 of printhead 400 are schematicallyillustrated in FIG. 8 as nozzles in two nozzle rows, although thenozzles may be arranged in more or less nozzle rows in otherembodiments. Printhead 400 includes one or more supply manifolds 511-512that are disposed longitudinally within printhead 400. As stated above,a supply manifold is a groove, duct, conduit, etc., configured to conveyor supply a print fluid to jetting channels. In this embodiment, supplymanifold 511 is fluidly coupled to a subset of the jetting channels 500(or each of the jetting channels 500 in the case of a flow-throughprinthead) indicated by nozzles 502 via fluid path 504. Supply manifold512 is fluidly coupled to a subset of the jetting channels 500 (or eachof the jetting channels 500 in the case of a flow-through printhead)indicated by nozzles 502 via fluid path 504. Fluid paths 504 areprovided in the form of restrictors. Although two supply manifolds areillustrated, there may be a single supply manifold (e.g., such as in thecase of a single row of jetting channels), or more than two supplymanifolds.

In this embodiment, printhead 400 includes a pair of I/O ports 411-412on longitudinal side 424, and a pair of I/O ports 713-714 onlongitudinal side 425. Printhead 400 also includes chain manifolds813-814. Chain manifold 813 fluidly couples I/O port 713 on longitudinalside 425 with I/O port 411 on longitudinal side 424. I/O port 713 isstaggered in relation to I/O port 411, meaning that they are nottransversely aligned across the width of printhead 400. Thus, chainmanifold 813 is disposed at an angle across the width of printhead 400between I/O port 713 and I/O port 411. Chain manifold 814 fluidlycouples I/O port 714 on longitudinal side 425 with I/O port 412 onlongitudinal side 424. I/O port 714 is staggered in relation to I/O port412, meaning that they are not transversely aligned across the width ofprinthead 400. Thus, chain manifold 814 is disposed at an angle acrossthe width of printhead 400 between I/O port 714 and I/O port 412. Withthis configuration, printhead 400 may be installed in a jettingapparatus at an angle in relation to the direction of relative movementbetween printhead 400 and the medium. Supply manifolds 511-512 arefluidly coupled at one end to chain manifold 813, and fluidly coupled atthe other end to chain manifold 814.

FIG. 9 illustrates multiple printheads 400 mounted in a jettingapparatus 100 in an illustrative embodiment. In this embodiment,printheads 400 are installed at an angle in relation to the direction ofrelative movement between printheads 400 and the medium, such as at anangle in the range of 52 and 54 degrees, in the range of 36 and 38degrees, or at another angle. Printheads 400 are installed as adaisy-chain 900 so that a print fluid flows from one printhead toanother. I/O ports 411-412 and 713-714 may act as an “inlet” I/O portthat receives a flow of print fluid, or an “outlet” I/O port thatconveys a flow of print fluid out of a printhead depending on where aprinthead 400 is installed in the chain. For example, the “inlet” I/Oports 713-714 on the left-most printhead 400 (i.e., the first printhead)are connected to supply hoses 910-911, respectively, which are in turnare connected to a reservoir or the like. The “outlet” I/O ports 411-412on the left-most printhead 400 are fluidly coupled to the “inlet” I/Oports 713-714 on the next printhead 400 (i.e., the second printhead) inthe chain. The “outlet” I/O ports 411-412 on the second printhead 400are connected to the “inlet” I/O ports 713-714 on the next printhead 400(i.e., the third printhead) in the chain. Other printheads 400 arefluidly coupled in a similar manner. On the right-most printhead 400(i.e., the sixth printhead) in the chain, the “outlet” I/O ports 411-412are fluidly coupled to return hoses 912-913 (or another supply hose),respectively, which in turn are connected to a reservoir or the like.Printheads 400 may be mounted in jetting apparatus 100 so that the“inlet” I/O ports on one printhead 400 are aligned with the “outlet” I/Oports on another printhead 400. An O-ring, gasket, seal, or the like maybe used to seal the connection between an “inlet” I/O port and an“outlet” I/O port.

As is evident in FIG. 9, the ends of daisy-chain 900 (e.g., the leftmostand rightmost printheads 400) are connected to one or more reservoirsvia hoses 910-913. The printheads 400 are linked together via I/O portsand chain manifolds 813-814 to form integrated chain manifolds 920. Forexample, a print fluid may flow from supply hose 910, into the leftmostprinthead 400, and along one of the integrated chain manifolds 920 untilexiting the chain at the rightmost printhead 400 through hose 912. Theprint fluid may flow from supply hose 911, into the leftmost printhead400, and along the other integrated chain manifold 920 until exiting thechain at the rightmost printhead 400 through hose 913. Thus, theinterior printheads 400 do not need to be directly connected to areservoir via a hose, and print fluid may be supplied to theseprintheads 400 through integrated chain manifolds 920. This makes theprintheads 400 easier to install in jetting apparatus 100, and easier tomaintain.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a printhead 400 in anotherillustrative embodiment. The jetting channels 500 of printhead 400 areschematically illustrated in FIG. 10 as nozzles in two nozzle rows,although the nozzles may be arranged in more or less nozzle rows inother embodiments. Printhead 400 includes one or more supply manifolds511-512 that are disposed longitudinally within printhead 400. As statedabove, a supply manifold is a groove, duct, conduit, etc., configured toconvey or supply a print fluid to jetting channels. In this embodiment,supply manifold 511 is fluidly coupled to a subset of the jettingchannels 500 (or each of the jetting channels 500 in the case of aflow-through printhead) indicated by nozzles 502 via fluid path 504.Supply manifold 512 is fluidly coupled to a subset of the jettingchannels 500 (or each of the jetting channels 500 in the case of aflow-through printhead) indicated by nozzles 502 via fluid path 504.Fluid paths 504 are provided in the form of restrictors. Although twosupply manifolds are illustrated, there may be a single supply manifold(e.g., such as in the case of a single row of jetting channels), or morethan two supply manifolds.

In this embodiment, printhead 400 includes a pair of I/O ports 411-412on longitudinal side 424, and a pair of I/O ports 713-714 onlongitudinal side 425. Printhead 400 also includes chain manifolds1013-1014. Chain manifold 1013 fluidly couples I/O port 713 onlongitudinal side 425 with I/O port 411 on longitudinal side 424. I/Oport 713 is transversely aligned with I/O port 411 across the width ofprinthead 400. Thus, chain manifold 1013 is disposed transversely acrossthe width of printhead 400 between I/O port 713 and I/O port 411. Chainmanifold 1014 fluidly couples I/O port 714 on longitudinal side 425 withI/O port 412 on longitudinal side 424. I/O port 714 is transverselyaligned with I/O port 412 across the width of printhead 400. Thus, chainmanifold 1014 is disposed transversely across the width of printhead 400between I/O port 714 and I/O port 412. With this configuration,printhead 400 may be installed in a jetting apparatus parallel to thedirection of relative movement between printhead 400 and the medium.Supply manifolds 511-512 are fluidly coupled at one end to chainmanifold 1013, and fluidly coupled at the other end to chain manifold1014.

FIG. 11 illustrates multiple printheads 400 mounted in a jettingapparatus 100 in an illustrative embodiment. In this embodiment,printheads 400 are installed at parallel to the direction of relativemovement between printheads 400 and the medium. Printheads 400 areinstalled as a daisy-chain 1100 so that a print fluid flows from oneprinthead to another. I/O ports 411-412 and 713-714 may act as an“inlet” I/O port that receives a flow of print fluid, or an “outlet” I/Oport that conveys a flow of print fluid out of a printhead depending onwhere a printhead 400 is installed in the chain. For example, the“inlet” I/O ports 713-714 on the left-most printhead 400 (i.e., thefirst printhead) are connected to supply hoses 1110-1111, respectively,which are in turn are connected to a reservoir or the like. The “outlet”I/O ports 411-412 on the left-most printhead 400 are fluidly coupled tothe “inlet” I/O ports 713-714 on the next printhead 400 (i.e., thesecond printhead) in the chain. The “outlet” I/O ports 411-412 on thesecond printhead 400 are connected to the “inlet” I/O ports 713-714 onthe next printhead 400 (i.e., the third printhead) in the chain. Otherprintheads 400 are fluidly coupled in a similar manner. On theright-most printhead 400 (i.e., the fourth printhead) in the chain, the“outlet” I/O ports 411-412 are fluidly coupled to return hoses 1112-1113(or another supply hose), respectively, which in turn are connected to areservoir or the like. Printheads 400 may be mounted in jettingapparatus 100 so that the “inlet” I/O ports on one printhead 400 arealigned with the “outlet” I/O ports on another printhead 400. An O-ring,gasket, seal, or the like may be used to seal the connection between an“inlet” I/O port and an “outlet” I/O port.

As is evident in FIG. 11, the ends of daisy-chain 1100 (e.g., theleftmost and rightmost printheads 400) are connected to one or morereservoirs via hoses 1110-1113. The printheads 400 are linked togethervia I/O ports and chain manifolds 1013-1014 to form integrated chainmanifolds 1120. For example, a print fluid may flow from supply hose1110, into the leftmost printhead 400, and along one of the integratedchain manifolds 1120 until exiting the chain at the rightmost printhead400 through hose 1112. The print fluid may flow from supply hose 1111,into the leftmost printhead 400, and along the other integrated chainmanifold 1120 until exiting the chain at the rightmost printhead 400through hose 1113. Thus, the interior printheads 400 do not need to bedirectly connected to a reservoir via a hose, and print fluid may besupplied to these printheads 400 through integrated chain manifolds1120. This makes the printheads 400 easier to install in jettingapparatus 100, and easier to maintain.

Although specific embodiments were described herein, the scope of theinvention is not limited to those specific embodiments. The scope of theinvention is defined by the following claims and any equivalentsthereof.

1. A printhead comprising: a plurality of jetting channels havingnozzles on a bottom surface configured to jet a print fluid;longitudinal sides disposed transverse to the bottom surface, andopposite one another across a width of the printhead; Input/Output (I/O)ports disposed on at least one of the longitudinal sides, and configuredto convey the print fluid into or out of the printhead; and at least onechain manifold disposed between the I/O ports.
 2. The printhead of claim1 wherein: the I/O ports comprise a first I/O port and a second I/O portdisposed on a first one of the longitudinal sides.
 3. The printhead ofclaim 2 further comprising: one or more supply manifolds disposedlongitudinally, and configured to fluidly couple the first I/O port andthe second I/O port to the jetting channels; wherein a first one of thesupply manifolds and the at least one chain manifold are defined by acommon duct within the printhead.
 4. The printhead of claim 1 furthercomprising: a supply manifold disposed longitudinally, and configured tofluidly couple the I/O ports to the jetting channels; wherein the atleast one chain manifold includes a first chain manifold and a secondchain manifold disposed across the width of the printhead; wherein thesupply manifold is fluidly coupled at a first end to the first chainmanifold, and is fluidly coupled at a second end to the second chainmanifold.
 5. The printhead of claim 2 wherein: the I/O ports furthercomprise a third I/O port and a fourth I/O port disposed on a second oneof the longitudinal sides opposite the first one of the longitudinalsides; a first chain manifold of the at least one chain manifold fluidlycouples the first I/O port on the first one of the longitudinal sides tothe third I/O port on the second one of the longitudinal sides; and asecond chain manifold of the at least one chain manifold fluidly couplesthe second I/O port on the first one of the longitudinal sides to thefourth I/O port on the second one of the longitudinal sides.
 6. Theprinthead of claim 5 wherein: the first I/O port is staggered inrelation to the third I/O port, and the first chain manifold is disposedat an angle across the width of the printhead between the first I/O portand the third I/O port; and the second I/O port is staggered in relationto the fourth I/O port, and the second chain manifold is disposed at anangle across the width of the printhead between the second I/O port andthe fourth I/O port.
 7. The printhead of claim 1 wherein: at least oneof the I/O ports includes a hose coupling.
 8. A jetting apparatuscomprising: a mounting bracket configured to mount multiple ones of theprinthead according to claim 1 in a daisy chain.
 9. A jetting apparatuscomprising: a plurality of printheads installed perpendicular to adirection of relative movement between the printheads and a medium;wherein each printhead of the plurality comprises: a plurality ofjetting channels having nozzles configured to jet a print fluid;Input/Output (I/O) ports disposed on a longitudinal side of theprinthead; and a chain manifold disposed between the I/O ports; whereinthe printheads are installed as a daisy-chain with an outlet I/O port ofone of the printheads aligned with and facing an inlet I/O port of anext one of the printheads in the daisy-chain, and a seal between theoutlet I/O port and the inlet I/O port so that the print fluid flowsfrom the one of the printheads to the next one of the printheads. 10.The jetting apparatus of claim 9 wherein: the printhead furthercomprises: one or more supply manifolds disposed longitudinally, andconfigured to fluidly couple the I/O ports to the jetting channels; andthe chain manifold has a lower flow resistance than the supplymanifolds.
 11. The jetting apparatus of claim 9 wherein: the printheadsat ends of the daisy-chain are connected to a reservoir via a hose. 12.The jetting apparatus of claim 9 wherein: the printhead furthercomprises one or more supply manifolds disposed longitudinally, andconfigured to fluidly couple the I/O ports to the jetting channels; anda first one of the supply manifolds and the chain manifold are definedby a common duct.
 13. A jetting apparatus comprising: a plurality ofprintheads; wherein each printhead of the plurality comprises: aplurality of jetting channels having nozzles configured to jet a printfluid; Input/Output (I/O) ports that comprise a first I/O port and asecond I/O port disposed on a first longitudinal side of the printhead,and a third I/O port and a fourth I/O port disposed on a secondlongitudinal side of the printhead opposite the first longitudinal side;a first chain manifold disposed between the first I/O port on the firstlongitudinal side and the third I/O port on the second longitudinalside; and a second chain manifold disposed between the second I/O porton the first longitudinal side and the fourth I/O port on the secondlongitudinal side; wherein the printheads are installed as a daisy-chainvia the I/O ports, the first chain manifold, and the second chainmanifold; wherein an outlet I/O port of one of the printheads is alignedwith and facing an inlet I/O port of a next one of the printheads in thedaisy-chain, and a seal is disposed between the outlet I/O port and theinlet I/O port so that the print fluid flows from the one of theprintheads to the next one of the printheads.
 14. The jetting apparatusof claim 13 wherein: the printhead further comprises one or more supplymanifolds disposed longitudinally, and configured to fluidly couple theI/O ports to the jetting channels; and the first chain manifold and thesecond chain manifold have a lower flow resistance than the supplymanifolds.
 15. The jetting apparatus of claim 14 wherein: the printheadsat ends of the daisy-chain are connected to a reservoir via a hose. 16.The jetting apparatus of claim 13 wherein: the printheads are installedat an angle to a direction of relative movement between the printheadsand a medium.
 17. The jetting apparatus of claim 16 wherein: the firstI/O port is staggered in relation to the third I/O port, and the firstchain manifold is disposed at an angle across a width of the printheadbetween the first I/O port and the third I/O port; and the second I/Oport is staggered in relation to the fourth I/O port, and the secondchain manifold is disposed at an angle across the width of the printheadbetween the second I/O port and the fourth I/O port.
 18. The jettingapparatus of claim 13 wherein: the printheads are installed parallel toa direction of relative movement between the printheads and a medium.19. The jetting apparatus of claim 18 wherein: the first I/O port istransversely aligned with the third I/O port, and the first chainmanifold is disposed transversely across a width of the printheadbetween the first I/O port and the third I/O port; and the second I/Oport is transversely aligned with the fourth I/O port, and the secondchain manifold is disposed transversely across the width of theprinthead between the second I/O port and the fourth I/O port.
 20. Thejetting apparatus of claim 13 wherein: the printhead further comprisesone or more supply manifolds disposed longitudinally, and configured tofluidly couple the I/O ports to the jetting channels; and the supplymanifolds are fluidly coupled at one end to the first chain manifold,and fluidly coupled at the other end to the second chain manifold.